Planys Technologies Launches Second Underwater Robot

Planys Technologies, India’s first and only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of compact underwater robots (Remotely Operated Vehicles or ROVs) capable of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), launched their second indigenously developed ROV ‘Beluga’ on 18 November, 2016.

ROV Beluga lighting

ROV Beluga is the next generation of Planys’ advanced ROVs with more than double the thrust capacity compared to the team’s previous products and an enhanced vision and illumination system. ROV Beluga is a powerful vehicle with the ability to reach 200m depth and go to speeds of up to 4 knots.

Beluga continues Planys’ mission to provide portable, cost-effective and customizable inspection solutions for oil and gas, shipping and port sectors. Beluga will be available for services from January 2017.

With manual inspections being dictated by the vagaries of sea conditions, current and wave actions, the accuracy of these inspections are greatly compromised. These factors are not a constraint when using Planys ROVs. The Planys inspection solution will prove to be faster, more efficient and accurate for carrying out such inspections.

Tanuj Jhunjhunwala, Co-Founder and CEO, Planys Technologies said, “Planys seeks to disrupt the way underwater inspections are performed in India and the neighborhood. ROV Beluga is a strong example of our intent, powerful and with features unmatched for its segment, yet compact and portable. Beluga has been specifically designed for the oil and gas and shipping sector, but the platform is versatile to benefit numerous allied sectors. Though this is an important milestone, Beluga is one among the many products in the pipeline.”

Planys has won accolades from customers who have already sought services of their first indigenously manufactured ROV Mike. L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering Ltd’s MFF Team endorses the benefit of the recently conducted Planys inspection. The team was highly appreciative of how Planys was able to rapidly customize their solution onsite and provide an excellent software report.

Prof Krishnan Balasubramanian (Head, Centre for Non-Destructive Evaluation (IITM), Co-Founder and Chief Advisor at Planys) said, “Planys is in a sweet spot today since there are not too many players who are a fusion of marine robotics, non-destructive inspection and advanced emerging technologies.“

RINATeam (A classification society that has been using the services of external specialists for the underwater inspections of ships and offshore installations), said, “Planys’innovation will prove to befaster, more efficient and accurate means for carrying out the underwater inspection as compared to usingdiversespecially for the offshore oil and gas sector. We congratulate the Planys team for coming out with suchadvanced technology, thatwill drastically change the way the inspection of marine structuresand installations are carried out.“